'Idol' contestant gives voice to rare disorder

When a 26-year-old Chicagoan recently moved on to the next round of "American Idol," she was furthering more than her musical ambitions.

The popular show recently opened its seventh season featuring a video clip of Angela Martin and her 8-year-old daughter with Rett syndrome, raising awareness about a little-known genetic disorder.

"The e-mail started flying in as soon as the show was over," said Chuck Curley, director of the International Rett Syndrome Research Foundation and a father of a 12-year-old who has been diagnosed with the condition. "This is a huge moment for us."

No one knows how far Martin will go in the competition, but advocates hope that such national exposure can do for the disorder what Michael J. Fox did for Parkinson's Disease, Christopher Reeve for spinal cord injuries and Katie Couric for colon cancer.

For Marcia Adamski of Midlothian, just hearing the name was encouraging.

"I was so excited ... I just wanted to pick up the phone, start calling everyone I know and just scream," said Adamski, whose 2-year-old granddaughter has the disease.

Martin's tuneful rendition of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" was strong enough to move her to the next round in Hollywood, which airs Feb. 13.

The illness followed the usual course for Martin's daughter, Jessica Creamer, who is treated at Shriner's Hospital. "Our entire family was in denial," said a relative.

"It's not about fame for me. It's about getting her the best care, the best therapist. The doctors told me that my daughter was never going to walk or talk. I'm going to get that for her," said the South Side resident.

About Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome strikes females almost exclusively, affecting about 1 of every 10,000. Toddlers develop normally until 6 to 18 months, when, inexplicably, they start regressing, losing speech and motor skills. Eventually, they become profoundly disabled, requiring assistance with virtually every aspect of daily living, from feeding to toileting. There is no cure.